Article

A cry from the heart

This is a letter written to a blog by a man full of frustration at not being able to get a job by sticking to the truth.

“It is amazingly astonishing, and quite frankly empowering to realize so many people have already jumped on the "resume-embellishing" bandwagon that I felt compelled to hop on due to my inconsistent professional background and my station in life.

I am what I consider an honest, hard-working, diligent and conscientious middle-aged man. I don't lie, I don't steal, and I strongly believe in contributing to make this a better world. Growing-up in a war-torn nation, living in more than 7 countries before settling in the U.S., and losing my father at a young age when still struggling with culture shock and ample amounts of discrimination and bigotry, this unsettled pattern of instability has chronically manifested itself in my life.

Though I was not able to obtain a college degree in my 20s', I work hard throughout my younger days and naively expected to be rewarded for my contributions.

As many reading this opinion already know, that's a croc of bull...!

After struggling to find my place in several industries and being let down every time, I finally decided to go back to my native land to play a more meaningful role in rebuilding a once beautiful paradise back to some semblance of its previous self. After an extended absence and yet another slew of disappointments (people are people wherever you go), I came back to the U.S., re-attended college and obtained a bachelors degree in Int. Business.

Thinking I will do right by myself this time around and stick to my guns despite any potentially discouraging disappointments, I persevered to land the right job to no avail. One problem! My resume.

With all the different jobs I have held, and the extended period I spent in a foreign country working only occasionally while concentrating on rebuilding my family's estate and dealing with legal issues, it's practically impossible to explain that to a prospective employer and expect understanding and a chance to prove myself. And the harsh reality is that like everybody else, I am bound to the living costs that come with urban living in modern America.

All proponents of stating nothing but the absolute truth on ones resume, including the author of this article, fail to take in consideration that life is not always full of roses.

Being truthful on your resume is to many people, if not the most, tantamount of shooting oneself in the foot.

Might as well have a yard sale, sell all your worldly belonging and move to the park across the street! With all the job hunting advice articles I've read, I never read an article about those who face difficult circumstances that cannot be easily mitigated through following advice geared towards people who's lives unfolded smoothly with no glitches or obstacles.

We claim we live in a nation where everyone, regardless of past mistakes and difficulties, can excel and succeed by working hard and being honest. I also believe that too!
But No one gives you that chance, the tip of the string, if you are completely honest on your resume.

I know I am an intelligent person with great education and a widely varied professional background, but I can't convey that to any potential employer by being honest on that one page I use to make a first impression. A resume is simply a gateway to an interview. I believe the interview is where an employer can truly make a real judgment about a potential employee. NOT the resume!!

A resume is an ad, and since when were ads honest and truthful?!!”